Groundwater users in the lower Campaspe valley, a region extending from Lake Eppalock to the River Murray, are encouraged to attend two upcoming public meetings where they will hear about the most current technical understanding of the Campaspe valley deep groundwater resource and recommendations for its future management.
The meetings will be held by Goulburn-Murray Water's (G-MW's) Campaspe Groundwater Reference Committee which is reviewing the current Campaspe Deep Lead Water Supply Protection Area groundwater management plan. This Plan was developed in 2003 and the review and management recommendations will inform the development of a new groundwater management plan.
The reference committee was established in 2007 and comprises groundwater users from the lower Campaspe region. The committee is assisted with technical support from G-MW, Rob Rendell from RMCG Consultants and hydrogeologist Dr Phillip Macumber. Some of the issues being considered in the review are changes to the current boundary, seasonal allocations, groundwater trading and carryover.
Chair of the committee, Mr Murray MacDonald said "Dry conditions persisting for several years have resulted in reduced recharge to the region's deep lead aquifer system. Given demand for groundwater has been high it is critical these groundwater resources are managed sustainably into the future."
The first meeting will present the results of a recent technical study undertaken of the deep lead groundwater system. A subsequent meeting will be held to present the outcomes and recommendations from the review and obtain feedback from the community on the future management of the groundwater resource.
Mr MacDonald stressed that "Groundwater users in the lower Campaspe valley should attend both meetings as it is important; before the outcomes of the review are discussed, that the community is informed of the current technical understanding of the aquifer."
The first public meeting will be held:
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Location: Campaspe Golf Club, Rochester
Date: Wednesday 8 July 2009
Time: 1:00 - 3:30 pm
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The date and time of the second meeting will be confirmed; however it expected to be held in late July.
If you have any questions regarding the upcoming meetings, please contact John Mansfield at G-MW on (03) 5833 5455.
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Media Contact: Sheree Fitzgerald
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